Introduction: Paddle tail swimbaits are by now, quite ubiquitous. Just about every soft bait manufacturer of any size has their interpretation of this staple. Some have more than one or even two! So how can a manufacturer with their sights set on bringing their own version to market distinguish themselves from the masses? Well, how about designing a rigging system to go along with their baits so all an angler has to do is pull the bait out of the package, tie it on, toss it out, and start fishing? Molix has done just that. Here's our look at their SS Shad.

Molix SS Shad SwimbaitSpecifications

Type

Paddle Tail Swimbait

Material

Soft Plastic

Colors/Patterns

18

Sizes

5" (1/4oz, 3/8oz, 1/2oz)

Scent/Plastic Treatment

None

# per package

Three

Resealable Packaging?

Yes

MSRP

$6.36 - $6.60

Impressions: Molix's Special Swimming Shad (SS Shad) is a five inch soft bodied, paddle tail swimbait poured with a fat body section that tapers down to a very narrow, and segmented tail section that ends in the usual paddle shape. That segmented tail is very flexible no doubt helping the bait with its action.

Introducing the SS Shad by Molix.

The SS Shad is packaged in a clear, hard plastic container molded to hold three baits. The middle bait in this packaging is pre-rigged from the factory with Molix's own "Easy Weight Change" harness. This harness is patent pending and features a lead head attached to a split ring with is then attached to an wide gap hook.

The SS Shad is a soft bodied, paddle tail swimbait.

Real World Tests: My goal was to test this bait during the annual Fall striper run on the California Delta, but once again Zander and I were thwarted by our inability to locate quality sized fish with which to test a bunch of gear. So instead, I had to "settle" for throwing this bait in pursuit of those green fish that make up the bread and butter of our review site.

But that's only half the story. This bait comes with a custom
wiring harness.

I really appreciate the effort Molix went through in putting this bait together. The toughest decision I faced with this bait, once I decided on color, was which weight to throw - one quarter, three eighths, or half ounce (1/4, 3/8, or 1/2oz). From there, it was a simple matter of taking the one pre-rigged bait out of the package, tying it on and start fishing.

Available in three weights, the wide gap hook swings free of
the weighted head.

There was no struggling with pushing the bait onto the hook or bait keeper and lining up the hook to make sure the bait is sitting straight, etc. etc.. No, Molix's EWC system is pre-installed in that first bait and ready to be fished right out of the package.

The bait's plastic is a little stiff, but the tail section is
still very flexible thanks to these segments along the back.

The bait itself is made from a medium density plastic which I'd normally be concerned about having the right tail action because the plastic is a little stiff, but Molix took care of that concern by designing the tail section with those afore mentioned segments. This effectively softens up the tail section so when the bait is in the water, it has a very good swimming motion.

The segments lead to this tail.

When a fish strikes the bait, that wide gap hook is easily activated with your hookset swing. Because the hook is attached to the weight via a split ring, it's free to swing around reducing any leverage the fish may be able to gain from the weight of that head. It's a very well thought out design.

The SS Shad is effective in weeds or open water and is made
in 18 different colors.

Design & Ergonomics: Molix's SS Shad is available in eighteen (18) different colors with three baits per package. However, there is only one wiring harness per package so if you lose a bait, you'll either have to pull the harness out of another package, or prepare ahead by purchasing spare harnesses, or just use your own rigging system.

Retail on this bait is between $6.36 - $6.60 per pack of three baits.

Price & Applications: The SS Shad retails for between $6.36 - $6.60 depending on the weight you select to purchase and we are uncertain as to the availability of spare EWC harnesses for the bait.

+ Comes with a custom wiring harness rigged and ready to go out of the package

- Only one wiring harness included in the packaging

+ Available in 18 different patterns

+ EWC harness allows you to rig the bait weedless

Molix always has inventive little ways to set their product part
from the rest.

Conclusion: Molix always has inventive little ways to set their product part from the rest. The SS Shad with its own custom hook and weight harness is one such product. The bait's soft plastic is a little stiff, but that's ok because Molix designed segments into the tail to alleviate this stiffness in turn creating a soft plastic bait that's more durable because the plastic is a little more stiff. The SS Shad is a very well thought out product and one that can help you land a bass or two or three if you give it a chance.